The Psychology of Euthanasia Why There Are No Easy Answers

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2019

Authors

Miguel Ricou (Author) FMUP; Wainwright, T (Author) Other

Journal

Title: European Psychologist

Vol. 24 No. 4

Pages: 243-256

ISSN: 1016-9040

Publisher: Hogrefe Publishing

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 9 Citations

Scopus - 13 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00P-K3N

DOI: 10.1027/1016-9040/a000331

Abstract (EN): Voluntary euthanasia has been legalized in several countries and associated with this development there has been much discussion concerning the relationship between the ethical principle of autonomy and the respect for human life. Psychological science should make a significant contribution to understanding how polarizing positions may be taken in such debates. However, little has been written concerning the implications of this research for the euthanasia debate and about the contributions of psychology. In the same way, very little is written about the psychologist's role in countries where voluntary euthanasia or assisted suicide is legalized. We take as a starting assumption that there are no solutions that will meet everyone's wishes or needs, but that an understanding of psychological ideas, can assist in developing strategies that may help people with opposing views come to some agreement. In our view, it is fundamental to a fruitful analysis, to leave aside a polarized approach and to understand that an eventual answer to the question of how we approach voluntary euthanasia will only be achieved after the hard process of carefully considering the consequences of having either legalized voluntary euthanasia or its prohibition, in the context of a psychological understanding.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 14